After finishing the meal, Yin Wuzhi prepared to leave.
Qi Hanmiao quickly reminded him, “Your injuries haven’t healed yet. You shouldn’t go out.”
Feigning that he was still injured, Yin Wuzhi returned coldly. “I’m sure Empress Dowager Wen will be disappointed to hear that, during my severe injuries, the emperor hasn’t visited once.”
Qi Hanmiao responded, “But the emperor has been losing sleep because of Shizi’s condition.”
“Is he sleeping well these days?”
“Not quite; he’s been going to bed later than usual.”
Yin Wuzhi didn’t know whether to believe Empress Dowager Wen’s claims anymore. From what he could see, if Jiang Wu had been staying up late, it was likely because of his own worries, not out of concern for him.
He frowned. “I’m bored to death.”
If Jiang Wu had been confined to this room, he could have stayed still forever, but Yin Wuzhi was different. He was active and loved going out, whether it was to train in the army camp, visit the Ministry of War, or help out at the Dali Temple.
If all else failed, he would visit the martyr’s village to support the widows and orphans.
He simply couldn’t stay idle.
“Your Highness, just bear with it a little longer.”
Yin Wuzhi grew impatient. “For how long?”
“Well, the emperor is about to marry. Once that’s done, I’m sure—”
“When will that be? After he marries?” Yin Wuzhi couldn’t take it any longer. He stood up abruptly and strode out, declaring, “I’m going back to my estate.”
He moved so swiftly that Qi Hanmiao barely had time to react before Yin Wuzhi had disappeared from view.
The familiar Taiji Palace, the familiar veranda, and the familiar figure lounging in a chair.
Yin Wuzhi approached and sat on the steps of the veranda, his back to Jiang Wu.
Silence fell behind him.
Yin Wuzhi sat there for a full quarter of an hour. When he finally turned to look, he saw Jiang Wu wrapped in a blanket, fast asleep.
“…”
After a brief pause, Yin Wuzhi plucked a bamboo leaf from the nearby plant, infused it with his inner energy, and gently flicked it.
The leaf drifted through the air and landed squarely on Jiang Wu’s nose. He didn’t move.
A second leaf followed, again landing on Jiang Wu’s nose.
His nose twitched in irritation.
A third leaf brushed past the tip of his nose.
Jiang Wu: “Tickles.”
Yin Wuzhi turned away, continuing to face the other direction.
No one else heard the itch, and no one was there to rub Jiang Wu’s nose.
Once again, everything fell silent.
One, two, three bamboo leaves were simultaneously plucked off, brushing past Jiang Wu’s nose one after another.
Jiang Wu muttered, “Mmm.”
He finally opened his eyes. Yin Wuzhi sat quietly on the steps ahead, facing away from him, motionless.
“Yin Wuzhi.”
Yin Wuzhi heard him clearly but pretended not to.
“Yin Wuzhi, my nose itches.”
Yin Wuzhi’s nose didn’t itch—only lazy people’s noses itched.
Jiang Wu wrinkled his nose. No one was going to rub it for him, but fine, he could endure it.
Still drowsy, Jiang Wu was about to fall asleep again when another bamboo leaf brushed against his nose.
Jiang Wu muttered, “… Itchy.”
Yin Wuzhi didn’t turn around.
Just then, a voice called out, and Qi Hanmiao hurried over. “Your Majesty, where does it itch? Let this servant scratch it for you.”
“Nose.”
Qi Hanmiao took out a handkerchief and rubbed his nose a couple of times, while also gathering the bamboo leaves from Jiang Wu’s body. “Could it be the wind earlier? Why are there so many…”
He watched as a slender hand, with long, distinct fingers, plucked off one, two, three… bamboo leaves from the small bamboo plant in front.
“Your Highness,” Qi Hanmiao said quickly, “That’s a precious Rong bamboo, very valuable. Please don’t… strip it bare.”
It was already bare.
The little Rong bamboo hadn’t grown many leaves to begin with and couldn’t withstand such treatment.
Jiang Wu clearly didn’t care about the fate of the bamboo. He glanced at Yin Wuzhi’s back. After a few days of not seeing him, this rascal had grown bolder—disturbing his sleep like this.
“Is your injury healed?”
Qi Hanmiao quickly replied, “Not yet. His lordship’s injuries are severe—fifty strikes.”
Perhaps fearing that Jiang Wu might discover something, Qi Hanmiao would always emphasize the “fifty strikes” whenever he spoke of Yin Wuzhi’s injuries.
But Jiang Wu didn’t care to question the details of Yin Wuzhi’s punishment. “If he’s well enough to cause trouble here, then he’s well enough to go work in the Imperial Study.”
Sensing the atmosphere was off, Qi Hanmiao tactfully said, “I’ll go prepare a pot of tea for Your Majesty.”
After he left, Jiang Wu closed his eyes again.
When it’s cold outside, the warmth nearby becomes especially noticeable, making it easier to sleep.
“I don’t want to stay in the palace anymore.”
Jiang Wu didn’t respond.
“This minister wants to go home.”
Jiang Wu remained silent.
Yin Wuzhi paused briefly before kneeling down and saying, “Please, Your Majesty, grant me this.”
“This matter need not be mentioned again.”
“This minister doesn’t understand,” Yin Wuzhi said. “Why is Your Majesty forcing me to do something I don’t wish to do?”
“You don’t need to understand,” Jiang Wu replied. “If you’re bored, go to the Imperial Study.”
“Please allow me to return home.”
“No.”
“For some time now, I’ve had people investigate the situation in various households. While there’s no precedent for postponing morning court, the recent drop in temperature shows that many elder officials wouldn’t be opposed to moving morning court to noon during winter,” Yin Wuzhi said. “If Your Majesty issues an edict, this could be implemented soon.”
Jiang Wu gazed at him.
Since Yin Wuzhi entered the palace, Jiang Wu had tacitly allowed him several powers, and now it seemed those powers were being used here.
“This is a trade,” Yin Wuzhi said. “Your Majesty can postpone morning court as you wish, but please, let me return home.”
“No.”
Yin Wuzhi glared at him. Jiang Wu lazily replied, “I already do as I please. Your so-called investigation is unnecessary.”
“If Your Majesty issues such an order hastily, the officials will surely raise objections. At least I’ve helped Your Majesty avoid the risk of being questioned.”
“How laughable. Who would dare question me?”
“…” This incapable emperor didn’t care about his reputation at all.
Yin Wuzhi had no leverage to free himself. He suppressed his frustration and asked, “How long do you plan to keep me here?”
“Until you die.”
“…” A shiver ran down Yin Wuzhi’s spine, his breathing growing erratic. “I am the only son in my family. Eventually, I will have to marry.”
“You want to marry?” Jiang Wu exhaled lazily. “Unless I’m dead, for every wife you marry, I’ll kill one.”
Yin Wuzhi looked at him sharply, his eyes filled with shock. After a long silence, he said, “You are the emperor. How can you be so cruel?”
“I am the emperor. My will is the mandate of heaven,” Jiang Wu said slowly. “If I want to keep you here for my amusement, you will obediently stay here for my amusement.”
Yin Wuzhi asked, “Am I merely your amusement?”
Jiang Wu yawned, completely unconcerned. “What else?”
Yin Wuzhi’s eyes flickered with a trace of red, like a drop of blood—brief but unmistakable. Jiang Wu was certain it wasn’t his imagination.
What was that?
“You’re truly…” Yin Wuzhi said, “unreasonable.”
He abruptly stood up and strode out without looking back.
Jiang Wu frowned. What was he up to now?
Yin Wuzhi stormed off, his mind filled with Jiang Wu’s words: “What else?”
How absurd. Even in his angriest moments, he had never said anything so hurtful to that incapable emperor. Yet the emperor, with just a few words, could stab straight into his heart.
How could such a person exist in this world?
And the most ridiculous part was himself. Forced into the palace, yet after only a few days, it was as if he were under some spell, letting that incapable emperor boss him around, always worrying that others might notice. Maybe he really owed him something from a previous life.
“Yin Wuzhi.”
Yin Wuzhi instinctively stopped in his tracks and turned. Yao Ji stood there, wrapped in a fur cloak, with a fur scarf around her neck, glaring at him coldly. “You’ve been in the palace for some time now, yet you still don’t know proper etiquette. When you see me, you don’t even bother to pay respects.”
Clearly, she was looking for trouble.
Yin Wuzhi lifted his robes and saluted in the manner of a military officer. “This Minister was lost in thought just now. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager Yao.”
The woman’s embroidered cotton boots came to a stop in front of him. Yao Ji chuckled softly and said, “There are rules in this palace. Since the heir of the Yin family has entered the palace, you must learn them. Hasn’t the Emperor taught you these things?”
“The Emperor is busy with many affairs and is broad-minded, so he doesn’t bother with trivial matters like this.”
This was a veiled jab, implying that Yao Ji was simply making trouble. Her expression grew cold. “It’s said that during the Southern Border War, Yin Shizi, with just a horse and a bow, caused Zhao Kingdom’s General He Wei to be so furious that he recklessly charged ahead, only to be shot dead. It seems your skill with words is just as formidable.”
“You’re too kind, Empress Dowager Yao” Yin Wuzhi replied. “I was only able to win that time because He Wei was foolish. I dare not claim the credit.”
“Is that so?” Empress Dowager Yao stepped forward and heavily stomped on his hand, speaking slowly, “I truly see that the shizi of the Yin family is a rare, extraordinary talent.”
Yin Wuzhi furrowed his brows and asked, “What does the Empress Dowager mean by this?”
“A few days ago, you caused the Emperor to fall from the roof. The Great Empress Dowager has already punished you, but I haven’t yet.”
“What does this have to do with you?”
A casual voice interrupted. Yao Ji flinched as if startled, withdrew her foot, and turned to see Jiang Wu being slowly pushed forward by Qi Hanmiao.
“Royal Grandmother has already punished him. If Royal Mother is unsatisfied, go argue with her.”
Yao Ji glanced at Yin Wuzhi behind her and smiled as she explained, “I was just teaching him some manners.”
“Yin Wuzhi.”
Yin Wuzhi did not move.
“Come here.”
Yin Wuzhi stood up and silently walked to his side.
Jiang Wu said, “You may leave.”
For a moment, no one moved, unsure of whom he was addressing.
Jiang Wu looked at the Empress Dowager and said, “Leave.”
This woman never seemed to listen to him.
Yao Ji took a deep breath and forced a smile, “Wu Er, this is the deep inner palace. It’s really improper for your little companion to wander around like this.”
“I’ll punish him myself.”
Yao Ji observed him and softened her voice. “You haven’t visited Ziyun Palace in days. In a few days, come by, and I’ll make you something nice to eat.”
Jiang Wu stared at her.
Yao Ji stood there for a moment longer, her eyes filling with a mix of grievance, anger, and the hint of tears.
Jiang Wu simply kept watching her.
In the end, Yao Ji left. As soon as she was gone, Jiang Wu turned his gaze to Yin Wuzhi’s hand.
Yin Wuzhi immediately hid his hand behind his back.
“Push me back.”
“This minister has other matters to attend to.”
“Yin Wuzhi, don’t make me repeat myself.”
“I’m not going back with you.”
“Your Highness,” Qi Hanmiao coaxed gently, “let’s go back. Your hand is red; we need to apply some medicine.”
Yin Wuzhi sneered, “Medicine? In the two months I’ve been in the palace, how many times have I had to apply medicine? I’m not staying here any longer. You can all do as you please.”
“If you dare defy my orders, I’ll have soldiers surround King Dingnan’s residence.”
“I wouldn’t defy an imperial decree,” Yin Wuzhi said firmly. “I’ll go to the Great Empress Dowager and ask her to make a decision for me.”
